Day 19: Apogee, Dad Joke Edition

The moment everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived… It’s Dad Joke Day on the Apogee blog!! Now, don’t roll your eyes, we promise these are the best (worst?) ones we could find. Enjoy reading about all the amazing adventures happening in the Apo-verse right now, and maybe have a chuckle or two along the way!

Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMC, CRM, MCCE, MCP, NWXPC, AXA, AXB, ECC1, ECC2

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)

Why can’t a bicycle stand up on its own?

Because it’s two-tired!

After their awesome day hike yesterday, these young explorers were ready to put down their day packs and put on their helmets for a day of bike touring through Acadia National Park! Our MCJ crew got to ride 12 miles on the historic carriage roads through the incredible scenery Acadia has to offer this morning, followed by an afternoon of exploring Bar Harbor. Hopefully they picked up some good souvenirs along the way! Tomorrow, the gang will take a nice morning hike before packing up camp and heading back down the coast to Freeport. We can’t wait to see what they get up to!

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

What do you call a boat full of dentists?

A tooth FERRY! 

The CI team crushed their big day of biking today! After taking the ferry from Martha’s Vineyard to their port in Hyannis, the team got after some mileage. Kelly and Elijah report that their group had a great time and made it to camp with some time for games. A full day of riding will make tomorrow’s paddle boarding even more relaxing. Way to go, team! 

 

New England Mountains & Coast  (NEMC)

I asked my dad how his hike went.

He said it had its ups and downs!

While there are always ups and downs in the terrain, the energy stayed up for the NEMC crew today! After breakfast and breaking down camp, the team set off on the trails for a morning hike on beautiful Mount Jackson. Afterward, they played games and took well-deserved naps on the short drive to their next campsite. Keep it up, team!

Who! Those are big views!

Plus, some extra pics from yesterday’s hike up Mount Pierce!

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

What do you call it when a cow goes rock-climbing?

A high-steak situation!

It’s time to put on your helmets and step into your harnesses – the CRM crew went rock climbing today! After a short hike out to their climbing site, the group got to spend all day learning the ins and outs of rock climbing and seeing some amazing sights. They even got to zipline!! They also got an opportunity to pick up some mail on their way back to their campsite for the night, followed by an amazing dinner. Tomorrow, they’ll take off on a day hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. We can’t wait to see the amazing views they encounter!

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

Why are writers always cold?

They’re surrounded by drafts!

This joke is so good, it seems like one of our MCCEers could have written it! This talented group spent the morning in another writing workshop with their fabulous instructor Leah, refining and editing their drafts. After they fueled up with some sandwiches, they left the yurts behind for an afternoon in Brunswick. They spent the second half of their day doing community service with the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center, helping to build an adaptive accessible camping area. Tonight, they’ll take a short hike to a beach, where they’ll be having a picnic dinner! Sounds like they’re living the dream!

Maine Coast Photo (MCP)

Why does a moon rock taste better than an earth rock?

Because it’s a little meat-eor! 

We promise the moon pun will be relevant later, but first, let’s talk about the amazing morning MCP had! The crew packed up and headed over to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay this morning for an epic flower (and troll!)-filled photoshoot. We can’t wait to see all the amazing shots they took! After a morning of getting their creative juices flowing, they laced up their hiking boots and hit the mountains for an afternoon hike and the water for an afternoon swim. Tonight, they’re getting treated to an incredibly special experience – a moonrise sea kayaking session off of Orr’s Island! (Told you the moon would come back!) While a moonrise kayak is cool enough to begin with, this lucky group will get to see the largest full moon there will be in all of 2022. We must say, we’re pretty jealous!

Northwest Explorer (NWX)

Why do hipsters stick to backcountry rivers for hiking?

Because they’re less mainstream.

While we’re not sure if our NWX crew would consider themselves hipsters, they’re certainly sticking to the backcountry! It’s their fourth day of their backcountry stint, and they are absolutely crushing the terrain. The group cruised through three and half beautiful miles in Northern Cascades National Park today, with plenty of breathtaking views along the way. Unfortunately, we’ll still have to wait a few more days to see the sights, but we know they’re loving their off-the-grid time!

Pacific Coast (PC)

What did one family of koalas say to another when they got in a car accident?

You ca-lipped us!

This joke originated back in 2015, from one of Apogee’s PC leaders at the time (thank you, West). The end of PC’s 49-mile ride today brought them right through a gorgeous grove of eucalyptus trees, hence the joke’s origin! The crew had a marvelous ride along the coast today, soaking up the views as they tackled the final leg of their journey into San Francisco. Keep it up, PC!

Alps Explorer A (AXA)

What’s the best thing about Switzerland?

I don’t know, but the flag is a big plus!

It’s a border crossing day! The AXA team hiked up to the Col de Grande Ferret and out of Italy. From the border, they could look south into Italy to see all the progress they had made. Looking north, views of flowering meadows and streams welcomed them to Switzerland once again. Congrats on making it back to the mothercountry, team!

Alps Explorer B (AXB)

What kind of swimming stroke do sheep do best?

The BAAAAAAAck stroke!

It’s a well-deserved rest day after the AXB team finished up the TMB! They have two days in Fiesch to do some day hiking as well as rest up with their boots off after their amazing accomplishment. The group decided to take a spa day and enjoy a bit of pool time before exploring the glacier tomorrow.

A-P-O-G-E-E…that spells Apogee!

Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)

What did the baguette say when it was being sliced?

Ouch! Le pain

Our EEC1 crew continues to bike and eat their way through France as they travel today into Celles-sur-Plaine. After taking some bike paths through a river valley, they hoped on the roads to travel through some of the Tour de France route! They may as well join in! They enjoyed a flatter ride today as they headed into the Alsace Lorraine region. There, they’ll also start noticing a German influence on architecture and language… I can feel another border crossing coming soon!!

Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)

Why do the French only eat one egg for breakfast?

Because one egg is un oeuf!

There’s nothing quite like the French countryside! As the ECC2 crew rode from Bar-le-Duc to Nancy, they enjoyed some lovely bike paths crossing over bridges and through fields of crops. It was a hot day with a large hill near the end, but along the way there were plenty of sunflowers and thoughts of tasty French food at camp to raise their spirits! Nice job, team!